Ghana transplant boy meets his Villa hero

A 14-year-old boy whose life was saved when he was flown to Birmingham from Ghana to receive a kidney donated by his father has been given a massive boost in his recovery – a visit to his hospital bedside by one of his Aston Villa heroes.

A 14-year-old boy whose life was saved when he was flown to Birmingham from Ghana to receive a kidney donated by his father has been given a massive boost in his recovery – a visit to his hospital bedside by one of his Aston Villa heroes.

Felix Yeboah touched the hearts of the city when he arrived last month with just days to spare after suffering renal failure. With no kidney dialysis machines in his native country, Felix was not expected to live without emergency surgery. But it was discovered that his father Michael had a compatible kidney and the pastor at a Pentecostal church in Accra, Ghana's capital city, was only too happy to give his son the gift of life.

The operation was performed last week and both father and son are now well on the road to recovery. They will soon be well enough to join a host family through Michael's church who will be looking after the pair until they are well enough to return to their family in Ghana.

Now Felix, whose name means "happiness" in his homeland, has been given the best possible cheer after Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker dropped by to check on his progress at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The youngster, who celebrates his 15th birthday tomorrow, was overjoyed to meet the footballer who he describes as his hero.

The Ghanaian youngster regularly watches Premier League football action at home and has been a Villa supporter for the last three years after the team, now managed by Martin O'Neill, caught his eye.

Wearing his Villa shirt with pride, Felix broke into a broad smile when he was finally united with the midfielder who he hopes to emulate when he is finally allowed to pay football again. Doctors predict Felix could be playing football again back home in as little as three months if his recovery goes as expected.

Reo-Coker, who joined Villa last summer from West Ham, was clearly moved by the youngster and said he felt humble to think he was considered a hero by him.

Presenting Felix with the white away shirt which he wore in last week's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at The Emirates stadium, Reo-Coker said: "Felix is such a brave boy and so very courageous to go though all that he has.

"He may feel I'm his hero but he is mine. As soon as I heard his story I wanted to come and see him. I really am lost for words – to have someone like this look up to you means more to me than anything."

Felix, who gave the player a tough grilling with a host of questions about his career in a bid to quench his knowledge for all things Villa, said: "I have supported Aston Villa for two or three years and always watch them on TV back in Ghana.

"They are the best team and they play the best football and I love watching them. Nigel is my favourite player because he has a passion and always plays with a smile on his face. He always tries his best and I like him very much."

Felix added: "When I get back to Ghana my friends won't believe that I have met Nigel Reo-Coker. I will tell them all and my family, my community, my whole street about him and I aim to make sure the whole of Ghana is a Villa supporter one day."

Felix and his father Michael will soon be well enough to leave hospital and join a host family who, through Michael's church, have offered to look after the pair until they are well enough to return to their family in Ghana.

He said: "God bless Nigel for making my son's dream come true. One day when Felix is better I will bring him back to Aston Villa – who knows perhaps he will even be well enough to play for them one day."

It is hoped the pair will also be well enough to see Villa for real at Villa Park in Premier League action as a guest of club chairman Randy Lerner before they leave for home.